I bought a banjo several years ago and noticed that two of the resonators screws were missing. They are a unique shape and haven't been able to find a source. I am considering having some made but they wouldn't be exact copies .The $amples didn't include the knurl but will include a strait knurl...
Check Banjo Ben .com.
Google thumbscrews, there are tons of them, for many uses, especially in the lighting industry. I recently bought a bag full for my Deering Sierra for $20. Just make sure you know your thread size.
Edited by - Dean T on 04/27/2025 10:54:50
quote:
Originally posted by Dean TGoogle thumbscrews, there are tons of them. I recently bought a bag full for my Deering Sierra for $20. Just make sure you know your thread size.
I have done a bunch of searching and have not found a direct replacement. Let me restate I am looking for an exact replacement as shown in the first post
Buy these....replace the lugs in your resonator with these...use the thumbscrews.....ta-da ! 4 matching thumbscrews that look like original Gibson equipment !
https://www.ebay.com/itm/326487794755
I buy from this eBay seller frequently....very legit eBay merchant
Also, the thumbscrew in your first photo, the "original" Gibson thumbscrew.....I've never seen Gibson thumbscrews with that type of "true" knurling on them, but, I haven't seen everything that Gibson ever did !
So--if you want an exact replacement, I'd suggest 3D printing. Prototype it in resin until it's exactly what you want, and then have it printed in metal (or milled). Would be pricey, but would be a perfect replacement.
Two sources for metal printing are (although there are many, many others):
https://craftcloud3d.com/
https://www.pcbway.com/
Would (frankly) be quite easy to develop a CAD model for this if you had one original that you could use for measurements...
quote:
Originally posted by lavrgsI have done a bunch of searching and have not found a direct replacement. Let me restate I am looking for an exact replacement as shown in the first post
Then please be aware the thumbscrews for the 1970s-80s two-piece flange Mastertone appear to be of a design not used by Gibson before or after. I think even the thread was not the same. So exact replacement probably requires finding some being sold used. It happens. That's one option.
Another option is to get by with ony two. I have a parts banjo that started life as a 70s RB250. For the longest time, I could not get all four T brackets (70s model did not have L brackets) to line up with the resonator wall lugs. So I used only two, one each on the first- and fifth-string sides. Worked fine.
But I can understand your wanting four. So you might have to wait for some to turn up used.
Option 3 was suggested by Scott: A set of new thumbscrews and wall lugs. If you get the linked Saga parts just don't use L brackets. Don't need them. Or get the thumbscrews and wall lugs from Sullivan Banjo. They're probably made by Prucha.
Or get the Deering thumbscrew with wall lug. Looks different than the most common Gibson type. Closer to the 70s, though still not exact.
As I said above, I think the threading is different on the 70s thumbscrew, which is why you might have to replace the wall lug. Also, the 70s wall lug didn't screw directly into the resonator wall. It screwed into a threaded metal insert with curved fluting that sort of half-twisted into the wall. To use replacement wall lugs, you might have to add a little wood to the holes. I like toothpicks and glue for this type of work.
Good luck.
Getting them made sounds like the best option, not cheap but if I can find others that want some it will reduce the cost..If I get 20 the cost will be around $20 ea. The threads are 8-32 is that a common size?
Edited by - lavrgs on 04/27/2025 13:34:14
quote:
Originally posted by lavrgsGetting them made sounds like the best option, not cheap but if I can find others that want some it will reduce the cost..If I get 20 the cost will be around $20 ea. The threads are 8-32 is that a common size? I didn't mention that the Banjo is an RB-250
Deerings use 8-32, my old Gibson ESS were 10-32, which I always assumed was the standard Gibson size.
Edited by - Dean T on 04/27/2025 14:19:01
Lots of great feedback. The Deering units are the closest but I’ve decided to get some made.
Well, if you get them made to exactly match the 70s, you could advertise the extras as repros for others who might be looking for the same thing.
Not that what I'd do matters, but I'd go with the closest thumbscrews available and wait for genuine 70s Gibsons to come on the market. I'd also start with a want-to-buy ad here in the classifieds and see if anyone has any to sell. I scored some 70s tuners and buttons that way years ago.
The closest replacement I found was Golden Gate P-91. After a quick look most places seem to be out of stock.
I am out of touch with the banjo world , what would I expect to pay for used replacements?
The quote to get some made is around $60 for 4 and I would need to get 12 to get that price. Brass vs Nickel plated? What happens to bare brass over time? Can it be clear coated and not flake?
The ones you're considering having made are no closer to the look of 70s thumbscrews than some of the suggestions here. The "budget" ones found by Dean have the knurled heads, which is what shows when they're in use. They don't have that flared base below the head. But that doesn't show. Or not from any distance.
Regardless of the price per screw should originals come on the market, you wouldn't have to buy a dozen to get it.
I'd buy the closest match -- such as the ones Dean found -- and wait for 70s thumbscrews to turn up. Of course, it may never happen.
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